Suspension means for oil well derricks



May 3, 1932. Q R 1,856,844

SUSPENSION MEANS FOR OIL WELL DERRICKS Original Filed Oct. 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l a p-Ma 0. BIELER May 3, 1932.

SUSPENSION MEANS FOR OIL WELL DERRICKS Original Filed Oct. 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vii w 'INVENTOR M d? Patented May 3, 1932 T 'FFME OSCAR BIELER, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA SUSRENSION MEANS FOR OIL'WELL DERRICKS Application filed October 12, 1929, Serial No. 399,243. Renewed 0ctober 12, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in suspension means for crown blocks for derricks employed in the drilling of oil and gas wells, and the present application is an improvement on an invention described in application Serial No. 887,137, filed August 20, 1929.

It is among the objects of this invention to JI'OVlClS means for susoendin the crown' block from derrick structures in a manner to facilitate the stringing of the block for the several operations incident to the drilling and pulling operations.

In accordance with the present invention, I propose to eliminate the linkage heretofore employed in suspending crown blocks from he water table or other portion of the derrick structure, and to provide means for supporting the crown block directly on the derrick, whereby the handling of the block is greatly facilitated.

In the accompanying drawings constituting a part hereof, and in which like reference characters designate like parts, Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view partly in elevation of a crown block supported on a derrick structure embodying the principles of this invention: Fig. 2 is a side elevational View thereof; and Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view illustrating the manner of suspending the block, shown in Fig. 1, without the use of springs or the like.

WVith reference to the drawings, 1 constitutes a water table or other transverse support of a derrick structure, 2 a plurality of I-beams or other structural members which are disposed transversely of the member 1. The crown block, comprising side plates 3 provided with sheaves 4, of which there are four shown, and having re-enforcing spacing plates 5, is supported on the structural members 2 by a pin 6 that is supported at its respective ends by a plurality of spring nests 7. Members 7 are provided with notches 8 (Figure 2) by receiving the pin 6 and are supoorted on counter springs 9 by means of through bolts which pass through the flanges if the members 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the sheaves are journalled in the crown block by means of a stud shaft 11 to be freely rotatable thereon, and the pin members 6. project through bosses 12 provided in the side plates 3 by means of which the block is'held against displacement or misalignment, since by this, manner of support, its freedom of movement 55 is limited to angular motion about the pivotal axis of the pin 6. The block may be provided with links or hooks 18 at its respective ends whereby'it may beraised or lowered 7 from its position to string the sheave wheels so in a manner well known in drilling operations.

In the modifications shown in Fig. 3, the crown block is of the same construction as that shown in Fig. 1, but it is supported by 05 the member 6 resting directly on the I-beams 2 irfstead of the spring board construction as in *ig. 1. i

In the construction shown in Fig. 3, where the block is solidly borne on the derrick sup 7; port, spring suspension means of the types commonly employed in oil and gas well drilling operations may be utilized in the tool suspension below the crown block, and by this construction, the placing of the crown block 75 in its operating position, or lowering it therefrom, is greatly facilitated.

In the operation of the crown block it may be hooked through the link 1.3 by a cat line and raised from the spring member 7 until so the pin 6 clears slot 8. The pin 6 is then removed, thus permitting the crown block to be lowered on the derrick floor, for stringing purposes, and then hoisted to its position at the top of the derrick structure. The pin 6 is 35 then slipped through the bosses l2 and plates 5 of the block to the position shown in the drawings, when it is again lowered on its spring supports. Pin 6 may bev fixed in, the block and the latter may be lowered by spreadon ing the supports 2. v

By means of the structure shown, a maximum space is provided below the crown block for derrick operations, and the block is maintained in positive alignment at. all times. 05

Furthermore, there are no strains set up in the sheaves or. block supports since the axes of the sheave wheels and block supports are in parallel alignment.

The spring elements 9 function to main- 100 tain the suspended piping under tension so that when a joint is broken the upper pipe is automatically raised from its connection.

It is evident from the foregoing description of this invention, that crown blocks of the type described therein and suspended or support-ed in the manner therein described, provide simple, efficient and durable means for suspending drilling tools, pipe and the like from derrick structures.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be-made in the details of construction without departing from the principles herein set forth.

I claim:

1. In a derrick the combination with a sheave block, of a pivotal support extending through said block having its aXis in parallel alinement with the axis of the sheave wheel bearing shaft, and resilient supports at the respective ends of said pivotal support.

2. In a derrick the combination with a sheave block, of a pivotal support extending through said block having its axis in parallel alinement with the axis of the sheave wheelbearing shaft, and spring means at the ends of said pivotal support to resiliently support said block on the derrick structure.

3. In a derrick the combination with a sheave block having a plurality ofsheave wheels ournalled therein, of means for pivotally mounting said block on the derrick structure comprising a pin extending through the side plates of said block to provide projections on both sides thereof, bearing supports for the ends of said pin, and 'IIIGHDS for resiliently mounting said bearing supports on the derrick structure.

4. In a derrick the combination with a sheave block having a plurality of sheave wheels j ournalled therein, of means for pivotally mounting said block on the derrick structure comprising a pin extending through the side plates of said block to provide projections on both sides thereof, bearing supports having notches for receiving the ends of said pin, and springs supporting said bearing members.

5. In a derrick structure the combination with a sheave block support mounted on the derrick frame, of a sheave block, and means independent of the sheave wheel support and the clevis support of said block for re movably mounting said block on said support, said means comprising a pin extending through and beyondthe side plates of said sheave block and bearing at its ends on said support.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11 day of October, 1929.

OSCAR BIELER. 

